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Saturday, May 11, marks the 32nd anniversary of one of America’s great days of giving — the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Letter carriers walk through the community every day, often coming face to face with a sad reality for too many, hunger.

So, each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers in the Albert Lea area join carriers across the country to collect nonperishable food donations from their customers. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people in the Albert Lea area who need help.

Last year Albert Lea carriers collected nearly 15,000 pounds of food that was immediately distributed to food shelves in Albert Lea.

Over the course of its 32-year history, this national drive has collected well over 1.9 billion pounds of food. Albert Lea carriers have collected over 300,000 pounds during that time.

The need for food donations is great. Currently, more than 44 million Americans are unsure where their next meal is coming from. More than 13 million are children who feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school. And nearly 5.5 million seniors over age 60 are food insecure, with many who live on fixed incomes often too embarrassed to ask for help.

To participate in this year’s drive just leave a non­ perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox on May 11 and your letter carrier will do the rest.
Help in the fight to end hunger, as they celebrate the 32nd anniversary year in America’s great day of giving.